How to Read the Dragon Ball Manga?

The Ultimate Guide to Reading the Canon Manga Content of Dragon Ball 2025 - 03 - 14

We will show you the most accurate way to read the entire Dragon Ball manga in order, including all the canon content.

In this article, we want to present the ultimate guide to reading the Dragon Ball manga in the correct order while following the canon established by Toriyama, from the beginning of Goku's story to its conclusion. Not all of Dragon Ball's canonical story is found in the original work and its continuation, Super. Some parts must be read in Anime Comics and certain spin-offs.

If we asked you, "How and which Dragon Ball manga collections should you read to understand everything?", most would answer: the original manga by Toriyama and the Super manga by Toyotaro. But... that wouldn't be entirely correct.

That's why we've created this article—to serve as your guide, helping you discover where to find, what to read, and in what order to experience everything canonical related to the story of Goku and his friends.

To follow the story in chronological order, adhere to this sequence:

  • Dragon Ball Minus: A special included in the Jaco volume, recounting how Bardock sent Goku to Earth.
  • Jaco, the Galactic Patrolman: Chronicles Jaco’s adventures with Bulma’s sister. He is sent to Earth to prevent a newly dispatched Saiyan baby from arriving (spoiler: he does, and it’s Kakarot).
  • Dragon Ball (Original), Chapters 1 to 350: From Goku and Bulma’s first meeting to the arrival of Androids 16, 17, and 18.
  • Trunks: The Story: A special included in volume 33 of the Japanese edition, detailing Trunks' alternate future up to that point.
  • Dragon Ball (Original), Chapters 351 to 517 (Page 10): Concludes the Majin Buu saga, just before the 10-year time skip in the manga.
  • DB: Goku and His Friends Return: A manga drawn by Ooishi Naho (Dragon Ball SD author), narrating an adventure shortly after the Majin Buu battle, introducing Vegeta’s brother. (Not published in Spain).
  • Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 1 to 4: Covers events up until Sorbet begins searching for the Dragon Balls to revive Frieza.
  • Anime Comic DBZ: Resurrection ‘F’: This canonical story is not included in the Super manga.
  • Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 5 to 42 (Page 34): Ends with the Tournament of Power, leading into the events of the Broly movie.
  • Anime Comic DB Super: Broly: This story is not fully depicted in the manga, requiring reference to this anime comic.
  • Dragon Ball Super, Chapters 42 (Page 35) to the end: Continues from the events of Broly through to the manga’s conclusion.
  • Dragon Ball (Original), Chapters 517 (Page 11) to 519: Marks the end of the original manga, where Goku departs with Uub.
How to Read the Canon Dragon Ball Manga
How to Read the Canon Dragon Ball Manga

Some Figures, Games, or Manga We Have Cataloged

Here is a sample of everything you can find on the portal, from Dragon Stars or SH Figuarts figures, Dragon Ball Super, Heroes manga, or the Compendiums, to Sparking Zero and the very first game released on the Game Boy Color.

Funko Pop! Animation 013 - DBZ - Perfect Cell

Perfect Cell

Year:
2014
Run:
Standard line
Saga:
Dragon Ball Z
Number:
0013
Buy:
SHF - DB - Bulma Adventure Begins - 2019

Bulma 'Adventure Begins'

Year:
2019
Run:
Standard line
Body:
1.5
Saga:
Dragon Ball Classic
Number:
078
Buy:
SH Figuarts - DB - Bulma - 2018

Bulma

Year:
2018
Run:
Exclusive
Tamashii Web Exclusive
Body:
1.5
Saga:
Dragon Ball Classic
Number:
058
Buy:
SHF - DB Xenoverse 2 - Time Patroller Xenoverse Edition - 2017

Time Patroller "Xenoverse Edition"

Year:
2017
Run:
Standard line
Body:
2.0
Saga:
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Number:
038
Buy:
S.H. Figuarts - DBZ - Raditz - 2021

Raditz

Year:
2021
Run:
Exclusive
Tamashii Web Exclusive
Body:
3.0
Saga:
Dragon Ball Z
Attack of the Saiyans
Number:
099
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Ultimate Edition
Number:
09
Year:
2006
Type:
Manga
Format:
Kanzenban
Binding:
Softcover
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
El combate definitivo

El combate definitivo

Colecction:
Anime Cómics
Year:
2016
Type:
Manga
Format:
Tankobon
Binding:
Softcover
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
S.H. Figuarts - DBZ - Son Goku a Saiyan Raised on Earth - 2018

Son Goku «a Saiyan raised on Earth»

Year:
2018
Run:
Standard line
Body:
2.0
Saga:
Dragon Ball Z
Planet Namek
Number:
052
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Legend Edition
Number:
02
Year:
2024
Type:
Manga
Format:
Magazine
Binding:
Softcover
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
Funko Pop! Animation 1707 - GITD - Exclusive - DB Super Super Hero - Orange Piccolo

Orange Piccolo

Year:
2024
Run:
Exclusive
Line:
GITD
Saga:
DB Super - Super Hero
Number:
1707
Buy:
Funko Pop! Animation 614 - DBZ - Vegeta Metallic - Exclusive T-Shirt Bundle

Vegeta 'Special BOX'

Year:
2019
Run:
Exclusive
Line:
Metallic
Saga:
Dragon Ball Z
Number:
0614
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Serie Roja
Number:
201 / 48
Year:
1996
Type:
Manga
Format:
Magazine
Binding:
Softcover
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Serie Blanca
Number:
035
Year:
1992
Type:
Manga
Format:
Magazine
Binding:
Saddle stitch
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Serie Amarilla
Number:
011
Year:
1997
Type:
Manga
Format:
Magazine
Binding:
Saddle stitch
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Serie Amarilla
Number:
045
Year:
1998
Type:
Manga
Format:
Magazine
Binding:
Saddle stitch
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

Colecction:
Serie Blanca
Number:
088
Year:
1994
Type:
Manga
Format:
Magazine
Binding:
Saddle stitch
Cover:
Paperback
Buy:

We also have other complete lists classified by:

In addition to this Dragon Ball content, we have complete listings of Dragon Ball mangas and books, figures, and video games from this legendary story created by Akira Toriyama.
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